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When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’ (Matthew 11:2-3)
Our desires lead us home provided we are willing to trace them
to their root. What, after all, or before them all, do we truly want—that root
desire we hardly notice except in seasons like this when we admit … at least to
ourselves … that there is more happening in our vast inner spaces than we normally
dare explore let alone reveal?
Desires simmers there, finding expression in a thousand supposed
wants and needs marketers are sure to exploit, none of which finally satisfy
when achieved.
Beneath and before them all burns a craving for something too elusive
to name; the desire for I know not want, several authors have named it.
No name seems adequate. Home? Love? Peace? Oneness with that mysterious
something or someone who resides in the heart’s inmost room? Or (however unfashionable)
shall we just come out and say it, God? Yes, not as a distant being
somewhere out there looking in at our mess but the living Presence of Love
closer than our breath and stronger than our fear.
And so, John the Baptizer, in prison, sends messengers bearing
the lump in his throat to Jesus to ask the essential question of our humanity.
Are you the one we are looking for? Are you the one who bears heaven to earth
to still our ancient longing?
Crowds had gone out to John in the desert, wondering the same
thing, moved by the question that bubbles to the surface as we look at our
lights and remember Christmases past, wondering, too, how many more we shall
have.
Many we may hope. I certainly do. But mostly I hope to know
the Love who takes shape in this baby, this child, this man, this soul, this Jesus
who touched and healed, opened closed eyes and unstopped ears, who loved to the
last when the great hatred of the world crushed him, eager to destroy everything
he ever said and did.
It is for him that our human hearts most long. Knowing him
is the root desire hidden beneath the thousands of wants and needs that clamor
for our attention, crowd our schedules and drown out the inner voice of desire
for the Love he is.
For he is heaven on earth, the Mystery for whom we hope. He
comes, now as then, to awaken the beauty he is in the hunger of hearts.
David L. Miller
1 comment:
My wife of 32+ years died on this day 12/12/22. Your words in your Christ in Our Home devotion on thec17th, To be with the one who is Love-this is the hope of our longing...For He is the unity of divine love and mortal life, who comes to draw us to Himsrlf that we amay be one with Him. And on the 18th- "Christ comes because God longs to be with us" really helped me grasp the awesomeness of God's love for us, thanks David!
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